Monday, February 21, 2011

TV review – “Underbelly: The Man Who Got Away” (2011) *** (warning: spoilers)

Decent Underbelly instalment, not overly exploitative and based on a genuinely interesting lead character: David McMillan, who read news as a kid, went to a private school, became a major heroin importer, wound up in a Thai prison and successfully escaped. There’s even more adventures than on display here – as it is the story is (perhaps unavoidable) episodic. The film is over emotionally when Claire van der Bloom’s character dies, but still has a bit to go.

Toby Schmitz is very good in the lead role. The supporting cast is a reunion of the Old Fitz: Brendan Cowell, Josh Lawson, Kate Mulvaney, Jeremy Sims, Matt Zeremes; there’s also people like Heather Mitchell, William Zappa, Aaron Jeffrey… and good old John Orsick! Most manage to be reasonably convincing – there’s still a couple of lightweights in there.

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